Bicycle display

ABSTRACT

A bicycle display is provided that allows the user to recognize the selected operation mode. The bicycle display includes a display screen configured to display an output state of a motor that assists in propelling of a bicycle. The display screen is configured to display an output state of the motor in a first color in a state where the motor is controlled in a first operating mode, and configured to display an output state of the motor in a second color which is different from the first color in a state where the motor is controlled in a second operating mode which is different from the first operating mode.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/621,876, which was filed on Jun. 13, 2017. Thisapplication claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No.2016-118149, filed on Jun. 14, 2016. The entire disclosures of JapanesePatent Application No. 2016-118149 and U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/621,876 are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display for a bicycle.

Background Information

A bicycle display coupled to a bicycle and showing various kinds ofinformation is known in the prior art. Japanese Patent No. 4272217(Patent document 1) describes a bicycle display that includes a stepdisplay screen, which changes the illuminated area of segments to showthe segments in a stepped manner in accordance with the number ofrotations of the crank.

SUMMARY

Although the bicycle display of patent document 1 is configured todisplay an operation state of a bicycle component, no consideration ismade for the user to recognize an operation mode of the bicyclecomponent.

One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle display thatallows the user to easily recognize the selected operation mode.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a bicycledisplay includes a display screen configured to display an output stateof a motor that assists in propelling of a bicycle. The display screenis configured to display an output state of the motor in a first colorin a state where the motor is controlled in a first operating mode, andconfigured to display an output state of the motor in a second colorwhich is different from the first color in a state where the motor iscontrolled in a second operating mode which is different from the firstoperating mode.

With the bicycle display according to the first aspect, the output stateof a motor is shown on the display screen in different colors inaccordance with the operation mode of the motor. This allows the user toeasily recognize the selected operation mode.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the first aspect is configured so that the displayscreen is configured to display an output state of the motor in a thirdcolor in a state where the motor is controlled in a third operation modewhich is different from the first and second operation modes, and thethird color being different from the first and second colors. With thebicycle display according to the second aspect, the output state of amotor is shown on the display screen in different colors in accordancewith the operation mode of the motor. This allows the user to easilyrecognize the selected operation mode.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the second aspect is configured so that the displayscreen is configured to display an output state of the motor in a fourthcolor in a state where the motor is controlled in a fourth operationmode which is different from the first second and third operation modes,and the fourth color being different from the first, second and thirdcolors. With the bicycle display according to the third aspect, theoutput state of a motor is shown on the display screen in differentcolors in accordance with the operation mode of the motor. This allowsthe user to easily recognize the selected operation mode.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the third aspect is configured so that a displaydriver is connected to the display screen to switch a display state of aswitching region of the display screen between a first display state,which shows the switching region in the first color when the firstoperation mode is selected, and a second display state, which shows theswitching region in the second color is a state where the secondoperation mode is selected. With the bicycle display according to thefourth aspect, the switching region of the display screen shows theoutput state of the motor in different colors in accordance with theoperation mode. This allows the user to easily recognize the outputstate of the motor.

In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the fourth aspect is configured so that the displaydriver is configured to switch the switching region to a third displaystate when the third operation mode is selected to show the switchingregion in the third color. With the bicycle display according to thefifth aspect, the bicycle display allows the user to easily recognizethe operation mode and the output state of the motor.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the fifth aspect is configured so that the displaydriver is configured to switch the switching region to a fourth displaystate when the fourth operation mode is selected to show the switchingregion in the fourth color. With the bicycle display according to thesixth aspect, the bicycle display allows the user to easily recognizethe operation mode and the output state of the motor.

In accordance with a seventh aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the first aspect is configured so that thefirst operation mode and the second operation mode differ from eachother in at least one of a ratio of driving power of the motor to humanpower and an upper limit value of output torque of the motor. With thebicycle display according to the seventh aspect, the bicycle displayallows the user to easily recognize a change in at least one of theratio of driving power of the motor to human power and the upper limitvalue of output torque of the motor.

In accordance with an eighth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the fourth aspect is configured so that thedisplay driver is configured to display an output state of the motor inthe first operation mode or the second operation mode with a graph in anoutput display region of the display screen. With the bicycle displayaccording to the eighth aspect, the bicycle display allows the user toeasily recognize the output state of the motor.

In accordance with a ninth aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the eighth aspect is configured so that the displaydriver is configured to display the output display region adjacent tothe switching region. With the bicycle display according to the ninthaspect, the bicycle display allows the user to easily recognize theoperation mode and the output state of the motor.

In accordance with a tenth aspect of the present invention, the bicycledisplay according to the eighth aspect is configured so that the displaydriver is configured to display the graph in the first color in theoutput display region when the switching region is in the first displaystate, and display the graph in the second color in the output displayregion when the switching region is in the second display state. Withthe bicycle display according to the tenth aspect, the bicycle displayallows the user to easily recognize the operation mode of the motor.

In accordance with an eleventh aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the eighth aspect is configured so that thedisplay driver is configured to display the output display region asgreater in area than the switching region. With the bicycle displayaccording to the eleventh aspect, the bicycle display allows the user tofurther easily recognize the output state of the motor.

In accordance with a twelfth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the eighth aspect is configured so that thedisplay driver is configured to display the graph or a portion of thegraph that is colored in the output display region in area thatincreases in size as an output of the motor increases. With the bicycledisplay according to the twelfth aspect, the area of the graph of theoutput display region that is shown or the portion of the graph that iscolored is correlated with the amount of the output torque of the motorin the operation mode. This allows the user to easily recognize theamount of the output of the motor.

In accordance with a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the eighth aspect is configured so that thedisplay driver is configured to display the graph of the output displayregion as including a bar graph. With the bicycle display according tothe thirteenth aspect, the bicycle display allows the user to recognizethe amount of the output of the motor in the operation mode by changingthe area of the bar graph that is shown.

In accordance with a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the fourth aspect is configured so that thedisplay driver is configured to display a charge state display regionshowing a battery level. With the bicycle display according to thefourteenth aspect, the charge state display region shows the state ofcharge of the battery. This allows the user to recognize the batterylevel.

In accordance with a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the fourteenth aspect is configured so thatthe display driver is configured to display the state of charge of thebattery in the charge state display region in a color that differs fromthe first color and the second color. With the bicycle display accordingto the fifteenth aspect, the charge state display region and theswitching region are shown in different colors. This allows the user toseparately recognize the operation mode and the state of charge of thebattery.

In accordance with a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the fifteenth aspect is configured so thatthe display driver is configured to switch at least one of the switchingregion and the output display region to a warning display state to beshown in a color differing from the first color and the second colorwhen the state of charge of the battery is less than a predeterminedvalue. With the bicycle display according to the sixteenth aspect, whenthe state of charge of the battery is low, at least one of the switchingregion and the output display region is switched to the warning displaystate. This allows the user to easily recognize that the state of chargeof the battery is low.

In accordance with a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in thebicycle display according the sixteenth aspect is configured so that thedisplay driver is configured to display at least one of the switchingregion and the output display region in the warning display stateintermittently in the color. With the bicycle display according to theseventeenth aspect, the bicycle display allows the user to recognizethat the state of charge of the battery is low more easily than in acase that the color is simply shown in the warning display state.

In accordance with an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the sixteenth aspect is configured so thatthe display driver is configured to display the switching region and theoutput display region in the warning display state in the same color.With the bicycle display according to the eighteenth aspect, the bicycledisplay allows the user to recognize that the state of charge of thebattery is low more easily than in a case that the switching region andthe output display region are shown in different colors in the warningdisplay state.

In accordance with a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspectsis configured so that the display driver is configured to display avehicle speed display region on the display screen to show a vehiclespeed of a bicycle. With the bicycle display according to the nineteenthaspect, the bicycle display allows the user to recognize the vehiclespeed of the bicycle.

In accordance with a twentieth aspect of the present invention, thebicycle display according to the nineteenth aspect is configured so thatthe display driver is configured to display the vehicle speed of thebicycle in the vehicle speed display region in a color that differs fromthe first color and the second color. With the bicycle display accordingto the twentieth aspect, the vehicle speed display region and theswitching region are shown in different colors. This allows the user toseparately recognize the operation mode and the vehicle speed of thebicycle.

The bicycle display allows the user to easily recognize the selectedoperation mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of thisoriginal disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a bicycleequipped with a bicycle display in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the bicycle display of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a display screen when a switching region ofthe bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2 is in a first display state.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the display screen when the switching regionof the bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2 is in a second displaystate.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the display screen when the switching regionof the bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2 is in a third displaystate.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the display screen when the switching regionof the bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2 is in a fourth displaystate.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the display screen when the switching regionof the bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2 is in a fifth displaystate.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the display screen when the switching regionof the bicycle display illustrated in FIG. 2 is in a warning displaystate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to thedrawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the bicycle field fromthis disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments areprovided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting theinvention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of a bicycleon which a bicycle display 50 is mounted. The bicycle includes a battery12, an operation unit 14, a controller 16, a transmission 18, an assistdrive unit 20 and a bicycle display 50. In the description hereafter,the assist drive unit 20 is referred to as the drive unit 20. Thetransmission 18 and the drive unit 20 are each one example of a bicyclecomponent. The transmission 18 includes a derailleur 22 and an actuator24. The transmission 18 can include an internal-hub transmission insteadof the derailleur 22.

The derailleur 22 includes at least one of a front derailleur and a rearderailleur. The actuator 24 includes an electric motor. The actuator 24can include a reduction gear that reduces the speed of rotation of theelectric motor.

The drive unit 20 includes a drive circuit 26 and a motor 28. The drivecircuit 26 controls electric power supplied from the battery 12 to themotor 28. The motor 28 assists propelling of the bicycle. The motor 28assists human power that is input to the bicycle. The motor 28 includesan electric motor. The motor 28 is connected to a power transmissionpath that extends between a crank axle and a rear sprocket of thebicycle. Preferably, the motor 28 is connected to a power transmissionpath that extends between the crank axle and a front sprocket. The driveunit 20 can include a reduction gear that reduces the speed of rotationof the motor 28. The drive unit 20 can be included in a front hub or arear hub. In such a case, the motor 28 is connected to a hub shell ofthe front hub or the rear hub.

The drive unit 20 is operable in a plurality of operation modes. Theoperation modes include a ride mode and a walk mode. The ride mode isperformed when the user is riding the bicycle (hereafter, referred to as“ride state”). The walk mode is performed when the user is walking thebicycle (hereafter, referred to as “walk state”).

The ride mode includes a first operation mode, a second operation mode,a third operation mode and a fourth operation mode. The first operationmode is expressed, for example, as a BOOST mode. The second operationmode is expressed, for example, as a TRAIL mode. The third operationmode is expressed, for example, as an ECO mode. The fourth operationmode is expressed, for example, as an OFF mode.

The first operation mode, the second operation mode and the thirdoperation mode have different assist ratios and different upper limitvalues of output torque of the motor 28. The assist ratio is a ratio ofdriving power of the motor 28 to human power. In a case that a reductiongear is connected to the motor 28, the assist ratio is a ratio ofdriving power that is output from the reduction gear of the motor 28relative to human power. In this case, it is preferred that the outputtorque of the motor 28 be the output torque of the reduction gear of themotor 28.

The assist ratio of the first operation mode is greater than that of thesecond operation mode. The assist ratio of the second operation mode isgreater than that of the third operation mode. The upper limit value ofthe motor 28 in first operation mode is greater than that in the secondoperation mode. The upper limit value of the motor 28 in the secondoperation mode is greater than that in the third operation mode.

In the fourth operation mode, the motor 28 is not driven. The walk modeassists propelling of the bicycle by applying assisting power to thebicycle that is walked by the user. In the walk mode, the motor 28 isdriven so that the vehicle speed of the bicycle will not exceed apredetermined value. In order for the output torque of the motor 28 ineach operation mode not to exceed an upper limit value that is set forthe operation mode, the drive circuit 26 limits the output torque of themotor 28 to the set upper limit value. The relationship of the assistratios in the first operation mode to the third operation mode aresatisfied until the output torque of the motor 28 in each operation modereaches the corresponding upper limit value.

The operation unit 14 is coupled to a handlebar (not shown) of thebicycle. The controller 16 includes an electronic control unit 34 thatis connected to the operation unit 14 to be able to perform wired orwireless communication with the operation unit 14. The operation unit 14includes a gear change operation unit 30 and an operation mode operationunit 32.

The user operates the gear change operation unit 30 to change the gearratio. The gear change operation unit 30 includes a first operation part30A and a second operation part 30B. The first operation part 30A andthe second operation part 30B include a switch or a lever. In a casethat the user operates the first operation part 30A, the gear changeoperation unit 30 transmits a gear change signal that increases the gearratio of the bicycle to the electronic control unit 34. In a case thatthe user operates the second operation part 30B, the gear changeoperation unit 30 transmits a gear change signal that decreases the gearratio of the bicycle to the electronic control unit 34.

The user operates the operation mode operation unit 32 to change theoperation mode of the drive unit 20. The operation mode operation unit32 includes a first operation part 32A and a second operation part 32B.The first operation part 32A and the second operation part 32B include aswitch or a lever. In a case that the user operates one of the firstoperation part 32A and the second operation part 32B, the operation modeof the drive unit 20 is switched among the first operation mode, thesecond operation mode, the third operation mode, the fourth operationmode and the walk mode. In a case that the user operates the firstoperation part 32A in the walk mode, the operation mode of the driveunit 20 is sequentially switched to the fourth operation mode, the thirdoperation mode, the second operation mode and the first operation mode.In a case that the user operates the second operation part 32B in thefirst operation mode, the operation mode of the drive unit 20 issequentially switched to the second operation mode, the third operationmode, the fourth operation mode and the walk mode. The operation modeoperation unit 32 transmits a signal corresponding to the operation modethat is selected by the user to the electronic control unit 34. Theelectronic control unit 34 switches the operation mode of the drive unit20 based on the operation performed on the operation unit 14.

The battery 12 includes one or a plurality of battery cells. The battery12 is electrically connected to the actuator 24 of the transmission 18and the motor 28 of the drive unit 20 to supply electric power to theactuator 24 and the motor 28. The battery 12 also supplies electricpower to the controller 16, the bicycle display 50, and the operationunit 14.

The controller 16 includes the electronic control unit 34, a vehiclespeed sensor 36, a torque sensor 38 and a gear position sensor 40.

The electronic control unit 34 is electrically connected to the driveunit 20, the battery 12, the operation unit 14, the vehicle speed sensor36, the torque sensor 38, the gear position sensor 40 and the bicycledisplay 50. The electronic control unit 34 drives the actuator 24 tooperate the derailleur 22. The electronic control unit 34 controls thedrive circuit 26 to drive the motor 28. The electronic control unit 34can include general circuits such as an input interface circuit and anoutput interface circuit. Preferably, the electronic control unit 34includes a microcomputer that has an arithmetic operation unit includingone or more processors. Preferably, the electronic control unit 34further includes a memory device that stores programs. The memory deviceincludes memories such as a ROM, a RAM, and a hard disk. The electroniccontrol unit 34 can be located in one of the drive unit 20, the bicycledisplay 50, the operation unit 14, and the transmission 18.Alternatively, the electronic control unit 34 can be separately located.The bicycle display 50, the drive unit 20, and the transmission 18 caneach include a microcomputer forming the electronic control unit 34. Inthis case, one of the microcomputers serves as a master while theremaining microcomputers serve as slaves so that each microcomputerperforms assigned control.

The vehicle speed sensor 36 is configured to perform wired or wirelesscommunication with the electronic control unit 34. The vehicle speedsensor 36 is coupled to, for example, a front fork (not shown) of thebicycle. The vehicle speed sensor 36 outputs a value corresponding to achange in the position relative to a magnet (not shown) attached to aspoke (not shown) of a front wheel and transmits the value to theelectronic control unit 34. Preferably, the vehicle speed sensor 36includes a magnetic reed forming a reed switch or a Hall element. Thevehicle speed sensor 36 can be coupled to a chainstay of the bicycle. Inthis case, a magnet is attached to a spoke of a rear wheel. The vehiclespeed sensor 36 can include a GPS.

The torque sensor 38 is configured to perform wired or wirelesscommunication with the electronic control unit 34. The torque sensor 38outputs a signal corresponding to human power applied to crank arms orpedals. The torque sensor 38 is, for example, a strain sensor, amagnetostrictive sensor, an optical sensor or a pressure sensor. Thetorque sensor 38 is arranged, for example, in a power transmission paththat extends from the pedals to the rear wheel.

The gear position sensor 40 is configured to perform wired or wirelesscommunication with the electronic control unit 34. The gear positionsensor 40 detects the gear of the transmission 18, for example, bydetecting rotation of the actuator 24. In a case that the derailleur 22is used, the gear corresponds to the position of a chain that runs on aplurality of front sprockets or a plurality of rear sprockets. The gearposition sensor 40 transmits a signal corresponding to the detected gearto the electronic control unit 34.

The bicycle display 50 includes a display screen 52 that is configuredto display information corresponding to the first operation mode and thesecond operation mode of the drive unit 20, which is selectable at leastthe first operation mode and the second operation mode in accordancewith an operation performed on the operation unit 14. Preferably, thebicycle display 50 includes a display driver 54, which drives thedisplay screen 52 and a power switch 56. Hereinafter, the display driver54 will be referred to as the driver 54.

The driver 54 is configured to perform wired or wireless communicationwith the electronic control unit 34. The driver 54 is electricallyconnected to the electronic control unit 34 and the display screen 52.The driver 54 is connected to the electronic control unit 34 to be ableto perform wired or wireless communication with the electronic controlunit 34. The driver 54 is configured to switch the display state of thedisplay screen 52 based on the information received by the electroniccontrol unit 34 from the battery 12, the operation unit 14, the vehiclespeed sensor 36, the torque sensor 38 and the gear position sensor 40.The driver 54 can be a semiconductor integrated circuit, or a pluralityof components which provide an interface function between the electroniccontrol unit 34 and the display screen 52, e.g. LCD, LED, OLED, e-paperdisplay.

The power switch 56 switches activation and deactivation of the bicycledisplay 50 and the drive unit 20. In a case that the user performs anactivation operation on the power switch 56, the bicycle display 50 andthe drive unit 20 are activated. In a case that the user performs adeactivation operation on the power switch 56, the bicycle display 50and the drive unit 20 are deactivated. The power switch 56 can belocated, for example, on the operation unit 14. The power switch 56 isalso capable of switching activation and deactivation of thetransmission 18 and the controller 16.

As shown in FIG. 2, preferably, the bicycle display 50 includes a mainbody 58, on which the display screen 52 is located, and a couplingportion 60, which can be coupled to the bicycle. The display screen 52is, for example, a transmissive liquid crystal display. Alternatively,the display screen 52 can be a reflective liquid crystal display or anorganic EL display. The display screen 52 includes a switching region 62that is switched between a first display state and a second displaystate by the driver 54. The first display state is shown in a firstcolor in a state where the first operation mode is selected. The seconddisplay state is shown in a second color in a state where the secondoperation mode is selected. Preferably, the switching region 62 isfurther switched to a third display state, a fourth display state, and afifth display state in addition to the first display state and thesecond display state. The switching region 62 is switched by the driver54 to the third display state that is shown in a third color in a statewhere the third operation mode is selected. The switching region 62 isswitched by the driver 54 to the fourth display state that is shown in afourth color in a state where the fourth operation mode is selected. Theswitching region 62 is switched by the driver 54 to the fifth displaystate that is shown in a fourth color or intermittently shows acharacter or a graphic shown in the switching region 62 in a state wherethe walk mode is selected and the motor 28 is operated. The displaystate of the switching region 62 is switched by the driver 54 (refer toFIG. 1). In the embodiment, different colors mean that at least one ofbrightness, colorfulness, and hue is different. Preferably, hue isdifferent. The first color, the second color, the third color, and thefourth color differ from one another in at least one of brightness,colorfulness, and hue, and preferably in hue. The first color is, forexample, orange. The second color is, for example, yellow. The thirdcolor is, for example, green. The fourth color is, for example, white.The display region of the display screen 52 can have any shape. However,it is preferred that the display region be rectangular. In the presentembodiment, the display region of the display screen 52 is rectangularand has different lengths in a first direction and a second directionthat are orthogonal to each other. The length in the first direction isless than the length in the second direction. The switching region 62 isarranged at a first end of the display region of the display screen 52in the first direction.

In the first display state, the switching region 62 shows a character ora graphic corresponding to the first operation mode. In the seconddisplay state, the switching region 62 shows a character or a graphiccorresponding to the second operation mode. In the third display state,the switching region 62 shows a character or a graphic corresponding tothe third operation mode. In the fourth display state, the switchingregion 62 shows a character or a graphic corresponding to the fourthoperation mode. In the fifth display state, the switching region 62shows a character or a graphic corresponding to the fifth operationmode. In the present embodiment, in each operation state, the switchingregion 62 shows a character corresponding to the operation mode.

The switching region 62 extends from a first end to a second end of thedisplay region of the display screen 52 in the second direction. Theswitching region 62 includes a first portion 62A and a second portion62B. In each operation state, the first portion 62A shows characterscorresponding to the operation mode. The first portion 62A is arrangedat the first end in the second direction. The second portion 62B isconnected to the first portion 62A and extended in the display region ofthe display screen 52 in the second direction.

The display screen 52 includes an output display region 64 that isconfigured to display an output state of the motor 28 in the firstoperation mode or the second operation mode with a graph. The outputdisplay region 64 is configured to display the output state of the motor28 with the graph in the third operation mode and the walk mode inaddition to the first operation mode or the second operation mode. Theoutput state of the motor 28 is one example of an operation state of abicycle component.

The output display region 64 is located adjacent to the switching region62. The output display region 64 shows the graph in the first color whenthe switching region 62 is in the first display state and in the secondcolor when the switching region 62 is in the second display state. Theoutput display region 64 shows the graph in the third color when theswitching region 62 is in the third display state, and does not displaythe graph when the switching region 62 is in the fourth display state.The output display region 64 intermittently shows the graph in thefourth color when the switching region 62 is in the fifth display state.The area of the output display region 64 in the display screen 52 isgreater than that of the switching region 62. The output display region64 shows the graphic corresponding to one of the operation mode and theoperation state of the bicycle component in the color corresponding tothe other one of the operation mode and the operation state of thebicycle component. The output display region 64 shows the graphiccorresponding to one of the operation mode and the operation state ofthe drive unit 20 in the color corresponding to the other one of theoperation mode and the operation state of the drive unit 20. In thepresent embodiment, the output display region 64 shows the graphiccorresponding to the output state of the motor 28, which is theoperation state of the drive unit 20, in the color corresponding to theoperation mode of the drive unit 20.

The graph of the output display region 64 is a bar graph. The outputdisplay region 64 is divided into a first section 64A, a second section64B, a third section 64C, a fourth section 64D, and a fifth section 64E.The driver 54 (refer to FIG. 1) changes the display of the first section64A to the fifth section 64E in accordance with the amount of the outputtorque of the motor 28 of the drive unit 20. In the present embodiment,the output display region 64 is L-shaped. The first section 64A, thesecond section 64B, and the third section 64C are arranged next to oneanother in the second direction. The fourth section 64D and the fifthsection 64E are arranged next to each other in the first direction. Theoutput display region 64 shows the proportion of the output torque ofthe motor 28 in the current operation mode of the drive unit 20 to themaximum output torque that is set for the current operation mode.

In each operation mode of the drive unit 20, when the output torque ofthe motor 28 is included in a range of 0% or greater and less than 20%of the maximum output torque set for the operation mode, the outputdisplay region 64 is shown in the color corresponding to the operationmode only in the first section 64A.

In each operation mode of the drive unit 20, when the output torque ofthe motor 28 is included in a range of 20% or greater and less than 40%of the maximum output torque set for the operation mode, the outputdisplay region 64 is shown in the color corresponding to the operationmode only in the first section 64A and the second section 64B.

In each operation mode of the drive unit 20, when the output torque ofthe motor 28 is included in a range of 40% or greater and less than 60%of the maximum output torque set for the operation mode, the outputdisplay region 64 is shown in the color corresponding to the operationmode only in the first section 64A to the third section 64C.

In each operation mode of the drive unit 20, when the output torque ofthe motor 28 is included in a range of 60% or greater and less than 80%of the maximum output torque set for the operation mode, the outputdisplay region 64 is shown in the color corresponding to the operationmode only in the first section 64A to the fourth section 64D.

In each operation mode of the drive unit 20, when the output torque ofthe motor 28 is included in a range of 80% or greater and 100% or lessof the maximum output torque set for the operation mode, the outputdisplay region 64 is shown in the color corresponding to the operationmode in all of the first section 64A to the fifth section 64E.

As described above, as the output of the motor 28 increases, the outputdisplay region 64 increases the area of the graph that is shown orportions of the graph that is colored.

At least one of the switching region 62 and the output display region 64is switched by the driver 54 to a warning display state that is shown ina color that differs from the first color and the second color when thestate of charge of the battery 12 is less than a predetermined value. Inthe present embodiment, when the state of charge of the battery 12 isless than the predetermined value, the switching region 62 and theoutput display region 64 are switched to the warning display state bythe driver 54. The state of charge of the battery 12 is equal to abattery level of the battery 12.

In the warning display state, the switching region 62 and the outputdisplay region 64 are shown in the same color. In the warning displaystate, the switching region 62 and the output display region 64 areshown in a fifth color. The fifth color is, for example, red. In thewarning display state, at least one of the switching region 62 and theoutput display region 64 is intermittently shown in the color. In thepresent embodiment, the switching region 62 and the output displayregion 64 are intermittently shown in the color in the warning displaystate.

The display screen 52 includes a charge state display region 66. Thedriver 54 is configured to display the state of charge of the battery 12(refer to FIG. 1) in the charge state display region 66. The chargestate display region 66 shows the state of charge of the battery 12 in acolor that differs from the first color and the second color. The chargestate display region 66 shows the state of charge of the battery 12 in acolor that differs from the third color. The charge state display region66 shows the state of charge of the battery 12 in the fourth color. Thecharge state display region 66 has a shape imitating a battery. Thecharge state display region 66 is arranged in the display region of thedisplay screen 52 at the second end in the first direction and the firstend in the second direction. The charge state display region 66 isdivided into a first section 66A, a second section 66B, a third section66C, a fourth section 66D, and a fifth section 66E in the seconddirection. The driver 54 (refer to FIG. 1) changes the color shown inthe first section 66A to the fifth section 66E in accordance with thestate of charge of the battery 12.

When the state of charge of the battery 12 is included in a range of 0%or greater and less than 20%, the charge state display region 66 showsonly the first section 66A in the fourth color. When the state of chargeof the battery 12 is included in a range of 20% or greater and less than40%, the charge state display region 66 shows only the first section 66Aand the second section 66B in the fourth color. When the state of chargeof the battery 12 is included in a range of 40% or greater and less than60%, the charge state display region 66 shows only the first section 66Ato the third section 66C in the fourth color. When the state of chargeof the battery 12 is included in a range of 60% or greater and less than80%, the charge state display region 66 shows only the first section 66Ato the fourth section 66D in the fourth color. When the state of chargeof the battery 12 is included in a range of 80% or greater and 100% orless, the charge state display region 66 shows all of the first section66A to the fifth section 66E in the fourth color.

The display screen 52 includes a vehicle speed display region 68. Thedriver 54 is configured to display the vehicle speed of the bicycle inthe vehicle speed display region 68. The vehicle speed display region 68is arranged in a central portion of the display region of the displayscreen 52. The vehicle speed display region 68 shows the vehicle speed,for example, in the fourth color based on the detection result of thevehicle speed sensor 36.

The display screen 52 includes a gear position display region 70. Thedriver 54 is configured to display the gear position of the bicycle inthe gear position display region 70. The gear position display region 70is arranged in the display screen 52 toward the second end in the seconddirection and toward the second end in the first direction relative tothe vehicle speed display region 68. The gear position display region 70shows the gear of the transmission 18, for example, in the fourth colorbased on the detection result of the gear position sensor 40.

As shown in FIG. 3, the coupling portion 60 is annular and configured toreceive the handlebar of the bicycle. The coupling portion 60 includes acircumferential first end 61, a circumferential second end 65, and abody 63, which is formed integrally with the first end 61 and the secondend 65. The first end 61 and the second end 65 are opposed to eachother. The body 63 is elastic. The coupling portion 60 is formed from asynthetic resin. The first end 61 includes a hole 60A into which anexternal thread 72 is inserted. The second end 65 includes an internalthread 60B or an internally-threaded nut that engages the externalthread 72. The diameter of the body 63 is reduced by fastening theexternal thread 72 to the internal thread 60B, and the bicycle display50 is fixed to the handlebar. The body 63 includes a housing in whichthe display screen 52 is located. The housing can be formed integrallywith the body 63.

The operation of the bicycle display 50 will now be described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 4 to 8. In FIGS. 4 to 8, dotted portions of thedisplay screen 52 indicate regions that are not colored. White portionsof the display screen 52 indicate regions that are colored.

In a case that the user performs the activation operation on the powerswitch 56, the bicycle display 50 and the drive unit 20 are activated.This enables the switching region 62 of the display screen 52 to beswitched to the first display state, the second display state, the thirddisplay state, the fourth display state, the fifth display state, or thewarning display state. The charge state display region 66, the vehiclespeed display region 68, and the gear position display region 70 showthe corresponding information in the fourth color.

In a case that the user selects the first operation mode as theoperation mode of the drive unit 20, the switching region 62 is switchedto the first display state.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the first display state, the switching region 62displays “BOOST,” which are characters corresponding to the firstoperation mode, in the first portion 62A, and the first portion 62A andthe second portion 62B are shown in the first color. The output displayregion 64 shows the output state of the motor 28 in the first color.FIG. 4 shows an example of a case in which the output of the motor 28 inthe first operation mode is included in the range of 80% or greater and100% or less of the maximum output set for the first operation mode. Theoutput display region 64 shows the first section 64A to the fifthsection 64E in the first color.

If the user operates the second operation part 32B of the operation modeoperation unit 32 in a state where the first operation mode is selectedby the user as the operation mode of the drive unit 20, the operationmode of the drive unit 20 is switched from the first operation mode tothe second operation mode. This switches the switching region 62 fromthe first display state to the second display state.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the second display state, the switching region 62displays “TRAIL,” which are characters corresponding to the secondoperation mode, in the first portion 62A, and the first portion 62A andthe second portion 62B are shown in the second color. The output displayregion 64 shows the output state of the motor 28 in the second color.FIG. 5 shows an example of a case in which the output of the motor 28 inthe second operation mode is included in the range of 60% or greater andless than 80% of the maximum output set for the second operation mode.The output display region 64 shows the first section 64A to the fourthsection 64D in the second color.

If the user operates the second operation part 32B of the operation modeoperation unit 32 in a state where the second operation mode is selectedby the user as the operation mode of the drive unit 20, then theoperation mode of the drive unit 20 is switched from the secondoperation mode to the third operation mode. This switches the switchingregion 62 from the second display state to the third display state.

As shown in FIG. 6, in third display state, the switching region 62displays “ECO,” which are characters corresponding to the thirdoperation mode, in the first portion 62A, and the first portion 62A andthe second portion 62B are shown in the third color. The output displayregion 64 shows the output state of the motor 28 in the second color.FIG. 6 shows an example of a case in which the output of the motor 28 inthe third operation mode is included in the range of 40% or greater andless than 60% of the maximum output set for the third operation mode.The output display region 64 shows the first section 64A to the thirdsection 64C in the third color.

If the user operates the second operation part 32B of the operation modeoperation unit 32 in a state where the third operation mode is selectedby the user as the operation mode of the drive unit 20, then theoperation mode of the drive unit 20 is switched from the third operationmode to the fourth operation mode. This switches the switching region 62from the third display state to the fourth display state.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the fourth display state, the switching region 62displays “OFF,” which are characters corresponding to the fourthoperation mode, in the first portion 62A, and the first portion 62A andthe second portion 62B are shown in the fourth color. Since the motor 28is not driven in the fourth operation mode, when the switching region 62is in the fourth display state, the output display region 64 is notshown in a different color. The color of the output display region 64 isthe same as that of the display region in a state where the bicycledisplay 50 is deactivated.

If the user operates the second operation part 32B of the operation modeoperation unit 32 in a state where the fourth operation mode is selectedby the user as the operation mode of the drive unit 20, then theoperation mode of the drive unit 20 is switched from the fourthoperation mode to the walk mode. In a state where the motor 28 is notdriven in the walk mode, the switching region 62 is shown in the fourthcolor and the first portion 62A displays “WALK,” which are characterscorresponding to the walk mode. The output display region 64 shows allof the first section 64A to the fifth section 64E in the fourth color.

In a case that the user operates the second operation part 32B in thewalk mode, the motor 28 is driven. As shown in FIG. 8, in the fifthdisplay state, the switching region 62 displays “WALK,” which arecharacters corresponding to the walk mode, in the first portion 62A. Thecharacters are intermittently shown in the first portion 62A. The outputdisplay region 64 shows all of the first section 64A to the fifthsection 64E in the fourth color. If the user stops the operation of thesecond operation part 32B in a state where the walk mode is selected,the first portion 62A stops the intermittent display of the characters.

If the user operates the first operation part 32A of the operation modeoperation unit 32 in a state where the walk mode is selected by the useras the operation mode of the drive unit 20, then the operation mode ofthe drive unit 20 is switched from the walk mode to the fourth operationmode.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the state of charge of the battery 12 isincluded in the range of 0% or greater and less than 20%, it isdetermined that the state of charge of the battery 12 is less than thepredetermined value. Thus, the switching region 62 is switched to thewarning display state from the first display state, the second displaystate, the third display state, the fourth display state, or the fifthdisplay state. In the warning display state, the switching region 62 andthe output display region 64 are shown in the fifth color.

Modified Examples

Specific embodiments of the bicycle display of the present invention arenot limited to the above embodiment. The bicycle display can be embodiedin various modes that differ from the above embodiment. The aboveembodiment can be modified as follows. Modified examples are examples ofvarious modes of the bicycle display.

The electronic control unit 34 can automatically switch among the firstoperation mode to the fourth operation mode based on the detectionresult of at least one of the vehicle speed sensor 36 and the torquesensor 38.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 includes the display screen52 that shows information corresponding to the first operation mode andthe second operation mode of a suspension device, which is one exampleof a bicycle component. In this modified example, the first operationmode is an operation mode in which the suspension device is locked. Thesecond operation mode is an operation mode in which the suspensiondevice is unlocked.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 includes the display screen52 that shows information corresponding to the first operation mode andthe second operation mode of the transmission, which is one example of abicycle component. In this modified example, the first operation modeis, for example, a manual gear change mode that manually changes thetransmission. The second operation mode is, for example, an automaticgear change mode that automatically changes the transmission based onthe detection result of at least one of the vehicle speed sensor 36 andthe torque sensor 38.

In a modified example, for example, the switching region 62 can beomitted from the bicycle display 50.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 includes the display screen52 that shows the graphic corresponding to one of the operation mode andthe operation state of a bicycle component in the color corresponding tothe other one of the operation mode and the operation state of thebicycle component. The operation state of the bicycle component includesan operation state of the suspension device, the gear position of anautomatic transmission, the gear position of a manual transmission, andan operation state of an adjustable seatpost in addition to the outputstate of the motor 28 of the drive unit 20. The operation state of thesuspension device includes, for example, the height, the hardness, andthe damping amount of the suspension device. The operation state of theadjustable seatpost includes, for example, the height of the seatpost.The operation mode of the bicycle component includes, for example, anoperation mode of the transmission and an operation mode of thesuspension device in addition to the operation mode of the drive unit20.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 includes the display screen52 that shows the graphic corresponding to one of the operation mode andthe operation state of a first bicycle component in the colorcorresponding to one of the operation mode and the operation state of asecond bicycle component, which differs from the first bicyclecomponent. The first bicycle component is, for example, one of the driveunit 20, the suspension device, the adjustable seatpost, and thetransmission 18. The second bicycle component is, for example, one ofthe drive unit 20, the suspension device, the adjustable seatpost, andthe transmission 18 that differs from the first bicycle component. Thebicycle display 50 of this modified example is configured to display,for example, the graphic corresponding to the output state of the motor28, which is one example of the operation state of the drive unit 20, inthe color corresponding to the gear position, which is one example ofthe operation state of the transmission 18.

In a modified example, at least one of the output display region 64, thecharge state display region 66, the vehicle speed display region 68, andthe gear position display region 70 is omitted from the bicycle display50.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 allows the user to changethe first to fifth colors or the combination of the first to fifthcolors corresponding to each operation mode using an electronic deviceconnected to the controller 16 or an operation unit. The electronicdevice is, for example, a personal computer or a smartphone.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 includes the operation modeoperation unit 32. In the bicycle display of this modified example, theoperation mode operation unit 32 can include operation switchescorresponding to the first operation mode, the second operation mode,the third operation mode, the fourth operation mode, and the walk mode.

A modified example of the bicycle display 50 includes one or moreregions that are connected to the switching region 62 and able to beshown in a color corresponding to only one operation mode. In a casethat the operation mode is switched, the color does not change to othercolors corresponding to other operation modes.

In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term“comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to beopen ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features,elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not excludethe presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups,integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words havingsimilar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and theirderivatives. Also, the terms “part,” “section,” “portion,” “member” or“element” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of asingle part or a plurality of parts unless otherwise stated.

Also, it will be understood that although the terms “first” and “second”may be used herein to describe various components these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used todistinguish one component from another. Thus, for example, a firstcomponent discussed above could be termed a second component and viceversa without departing from the teachings of the present invention.Finally, terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and“approximately” as used herein mean an amount of deviation of themodified term such that the end result is not significantly changed.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate thepresent invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromthis disclosure that various changes and modifications can be madeherein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims. For example, the functions of one element can beperformed by two, and vice versa unless specifically stated otherwise.The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in anotherembodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in aparticular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is uniquefrom the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, alsoshould be considered a separate description of further inventions by theapplicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodiedby such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodimentsaccording to the present invention are provided for illustration only,and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bicycle display comprising: a display screenconfigured to display an output state of a motor that assists inpropelling of a bicycle, the display screen being configured to displayan output state of the motor in a first color in a state where the motoris controlled in a first operation mode, and configured to display anoutput state of the motor in a second color which is different from thefirst color in a state where the motor is controlled in a secondoperation mode which is different from the first operation mode, thedisplay screen being configured to display an output state of the motorin a third color in a state where the motor is controlled in a thirdoperation mode which is different from the first and second operationmodes, the third color being different from the first and second colors,and the display screen being configured to display an output state ofthe motor in a fourth color in a state where the motor is controlled ina fourth operation mode which is different from the first, second andthird operation modes, the fourth color being different from the first,second and third colors.
 2. The bicycle display according to claim 1,wherein a display driver is connected to the display screen to switch adisplay state of a switching region of the display screen between afirst display state, which shows the switching region in the first colorwhen the first operation mode is selected, and a second display state,which shows the switching region in the second color in a state wherethe second operation mode is selected.
 3. The bicycle display accordingto claim 2, wherein the display driver is configured to switch theswitching region to a third display state when the third operation modeis selected to show the switching region in the third color.
 4. Thebicycle display according to claim 3, wherein the display driver isconfigured to switch the switching region to a fourth display state whenthe fourth operation mode is selected to show the switching region inthe fourth color.
 5. The bicycle display according to claim 1, whereinthe first operation mode and the second operation mode differ from eachother in at least one of a ratio of driving power of the motor to humanpower and an upper limit value of output torque of the motor.
 6. Abicycle display comprising: a display screen configured to display anoutput state of a motor that assists in propelling of a bicycle, thedisplay screen being configured to display an output state of the motorin a first color in a state where the motor is controlled in a firstoperation mode, and configured to display an output state of the motorin a second color which is different from the first color in a statewhere the motor is controlled in a second operation mode which isdifferent from the first operation mode; and a display driver connectedto the display screen to switch a display state of a switching region ofthe display screen between a first display state, which shows theswitching region in the first color when the first operation mode isselected, and a second display state, which shows the switching regionin the second color in a state where the second operation mode isselected, the display driver being configured to display an output stateof the motor in the first operation mode or the second operation modewith a graph in an output display region of the display screen.
 7. Thebicycle display according to claim 6, wherein the display driver isconfigured to display the output display region adjacent to theswitching region.
 8. The bicycle display according to claim 6, whereinthe display driver is configured to display the graph in the first colorin the output display region when the switching region is in the firstdisplay state, and display the graph in the second color in the outputdisplay region when the switching region is in the second display state.9. The bicycle display according to claim 6, wherein the display driveris configured to display the output display region as greater in areathan the switching region.
 10. The bicycle display according to claim 6,wherein the display driver is configured to display the graph or aportion of the graph that is colored in the output display region inarea that increases in size as an output of the motor increases.
 11. Thebicycle display according to claim 6, wherein the display driver isconfigured to display the graph of the output display region asincluding a bar graph.
 12. The bicycle display according to claim 2,wherein the display driver is configured to display a charge statedisplay region showing a battery level.
 13. The bicycle displayaccording to claim 12, wherein the display driver is configured todisplay the state of charge of the battery in the charge state displayregion in a color that differs from the first color and the secondcolor.
 14. The bicycle display according to claim 13, wherein thedisplay driver is configured to switch at least one of the switchingregion and the output display region to a warning display state to beshown in a color differing from the first color and the second colorwhen the state of charge of the battery is less than a predeterminedvalue.
 15. The bicycle display according to claim 14, wherein thedisplay driver is configured to display at least one of the switchingregion and the output display region in the warning display stateintermittently in the color.
 16. The bicycle display according to claim14, wherein the display driver is configured to display the switchingregion and the output display region in the warning display state in thesame color.
 17. The bicycle display according to claim 1, wherein thedisplay driver is configured to display a vehicle speed display regionon the display screen to show a vehicle speed of a bicycle.
 18. Thebicycle display according to claim 17, further comprising the displaydriver is configured to display the vehicle speed of the bicycle in thevehicle speed display region in a color that differs from the firstcolor and the second color.